Emis upbeat in face of sector cutbacks

Sean Riddell, chief executive, was speaking as the Leeds firm reported virtually flat half-year sales. Revenue for the six months to June 30 was 29m, up from 28.9m for the same period last year.

The firm, founded by two North Yorkshire GPs more than 20 years ago to computerise the records of GPs' patients, recently debuted on the Alternative Investment Market.

It used some of the money raised to launch a new product, Emis Web, which will connect GPs with other NHS professionals by enabling secure and shared access to patients' electronic records and is now being launched.

Mr Riddell said: "Our main priority is to build on the foundations we have put in place to increase the scale of the roll-out of EMIS Web. We are already seeing a high level of intent from customers to upgrade to our transformational, next generation system.

"Despite the cutbacks being seen within the NHS, we are confident we can help healthcare professionals to deliver more for less."

Emis' earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were flat at 8.8m. The firm employs about 780 people, including about 500 at its Leeds headquarters. The group also has offices in Wakefield and Canada.